The State of Roanoke County is good – despite challenges like declining state aid. That was the word from Board of Supervisors chairman Joe McNamara on Wednesday. He also addressed what he called “an almost fanatical preoccupation” that some board members and residents have with the county’s debt level.
McNamara says the county has a higher percentage of cash reserves today than it did 50 years ago – and a property tax rate that has been reduced by more than fifty-percent since then.
McNamara gave the annual address at the Green Ridge Recreation Center, highlighting economic development gains over the past year – and talking about a continuing drop in state aid. That’s a trend that dates back to at least 2009 says McNamara.
Virginia has been one of the slowest states to recover from the recession – hurting tax revenues said McNamara, with pending sequestration cuts impacting Virginia more than any other state he added. On the economic development front McNamara pointed to new or expanding business in the county from Allstate Insurance, Chick-fil-A, Walmart neighborhood markets and the Ardagh Group’s canning business.
McNamara had praise for Cave Spring supervisor Charlotte Moore’s campaign to curb littering from cigarette butts and mentioned continued progress on the stormwater management issue. McNamara also urged people to get involved in the election process – noting that he and Hollins supervisor Al Bedrosian won their Republican primaries by a total of 5 votes. “Your votes are too critical to be left at home,” said the Windsor Hills Representative.
School Board chairman Drew Barrineau and newly-hired County Administrator Tom Gates also gave brief remarks. Retiring school superintendent Lorraine Lange was recognized and honored with a standing ovation.
– Gene Marrano